Coping With Poor Air Quality

As the fires in Northern California continue, the air quality is poor. When air
pollution is bad, it can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat, cause shortness of
breath, aggravate asthma and other respiratory conditions.

Dr. William Isenberg, vice president for patient safety at Sutter Health’s
Office of the Patient Experience, offers the following precautions during this time
of smoky or poor air:

Stay indoors, if possible.

Use air conditioning, if available—malls are great places for people without
their own air conditioning at home.

Keep hydrated— drinking 8-10, 8 ounces glasses of water per day is recommended.

Use your maintenance puffers/inhalers if you have asthma, emphysema, or other
respiratory diseases